Improvement in picture-exhibitors



UNITED STATnsPATn-:N'r OFFICE.

runner cOsTA: OF New YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN PICTUREfEXI-IIBITORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 216.659, dated J une 17, 1879 `application iled April L8, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PnILrPP Cos'rA, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a `new and useful `Improvement in Pic- A turefExhibitors,` of which the folloaving is a specification.

Figure lis a vertical longitudinal section of my improved apparatus, taken through the line w Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the same, taken through the line y y, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same, taken through the line z z, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the same, the door being open.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved apparatus for exhibiting photo graphic pictures, which shall be so constructed that the margin of the picture will he covered,

so as to heighten the illusion, which will al- `low the view to be intercepted whilechanging pictures or adjusting the background, which will allow a colored light to be thrown upon the picture to increase the effect in exhibiting sunset and winter scenes, which will allow only the picture and background to be seen, thus improving the effect,.and which at the saine time shall be simple in construction and convenient in use.

A is a box, which is made close at the top, bottom, and sides, and is closed at its front and rear by the doors B C, whichV are hinged at their lower edges to the edges vof the bottom of the said box A.

The box A is provided with two backgrounds, D E, with a space between them,-and which may be made to represent Gothic or any other style of architecture.

The forward background, D, is curved, and

has a large openin g formed through its middle ner side edges. The next frame is rabbeted upon the inner part of its side edges to receive the next frame, and s0 on, however many frames may be used. The inner edge of the inner frame may be made without rabhets.

The movable frames of the background E are secured in place by buttons c, which also serve to secure the pictures in place while being exhibited.

The pictures are laid againstthe outer surface of the proper frame ofthe background E, with their lower parts resting against cleats c2, attached to the said frames, and are secured by the buttons e1. The openings through the various frames are made of such a size that the margins ot' the pictures will be covered, and the rabbets of the frames will give to the pictures a more perfect 'appearance of being in relief, thus increasing the illusion.

To the upper part of the box A, between the two backgrounds D E, is pivoted a springroller, F, similar to a window-shade roller, to which is attached and upon which is wound a shade or curtain, G.

To the lower corners of the curtain G are attached the ends of two cords, H, which pass around two guide-pulleys, I, pivoted to the lower part of the box A, over two guide-pulleys, J, pivoted to the upper part of the box A, at the upper corners ofthe rear background, E, and their ends are attached to the ends of a rod, K, crossing the upper part of the said rear background, E.

`By lthis arrangement, by drawing the rod K downward the curtain G will be drawn down, covering the opening in the rear background, and intercepting the view of anyT one who may be looking through the leus, and preventing him from seeing what the operator may be doing when he is adjusting his background and pictures. rlhe curtain G is held down by passing the rod K over the pins or screws 7c', attached to the lower part of the stationary outer frame of the background E. When the adjustment is completed the operator withdraws the rod K from the pins 7c', and the spring-roller F at once rolls up the curtain G.

L are the lamps, which are placed upon the forward corners of the bottom of the box A, so as to be near the lens, and entirely out oi' sight. The light from the lamps L is thrown upon the picture by reflectors M, placed in the forward angles of the box A.

The smoke and the gaseous products of conibustion pass up from the lamps L, through holes in the lower side of the large cross-tube N, secured in the upper forward partv of the `box A, and escape through the tube O, leading from a hole inthe center of the upper side of the cross-tube N through a hole in the top ofthe box A.

The upper end of the tube O is covered with a cap, l), and has a number of holes formed through its side, through which the smoke and gaseous products of combustion escape into the air. The tube 0 is surrounded with a perforated ring-collar, Q, through which the hot air from the box A escapes. The forward door, B, is made double, and has a hole formed through its center, through which the observer looks.

B is the lens, which is secured to the outer side of theinner plate of the doorB by a ringcollar, S, attached to the said plate around the hole through it, and rabbeted upon its inner edge to receive the edge of the said lens.

To the inner side of the inner plate of the door B is attached the end of a flaring tube, T, through which the observer looks, and

which is made of such a length as to prevent any rays vof light from the lamps L striking the eye lof the observer. The tube T also prevents the observer seeing the sides ot' the box A or the outer edge of the forward background, D, and thus further improves the illusion. The hole through the outer plate of the door B has a ring-collar, U, secured in it.

In grooved cleats V, attached to the inner side ofthe outer plate of the door B, are placed two plates,`W, of colored glass, the one purple and the other blue, which may be slid forward over the hole in the door B when it is desired to improve the effect of a sunset scene or a winter scene, and which may be slid back out ot' sight when not required for use.

Havingthus described myinvention, l claim4 as new and desire to secure by'Letters Patent- The combination, with the box having apertured door B, of the backgrounds D E, the spring-roller F between them, the curtain Gr, the cords H, pulleys I J, rod K, lamps L, reilectors M, tubes N O, and lens R, all arranged as shown and described.

PHILIPP COSTA.

Witnesses:

J AMES T. GRAHAM, C. Sunewrcx. 

